Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies

This is a great chocolate chip cookie recipe for the holiday season for anyone following a Paleo or Gluten free diet. These cookies are full of nutrient packed ingredients and no refined sugar or flour. 

 The addition of the flax seed provides extra omega 3’s. 

Paleo, Gluten free, Grain free, Dairy free, Soy free

Photo Credit Megan and Michael Theriault 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons flax seed (ground) 

1/2 cup Chocolate chips (We always use this allergen free brand)

1/8th cup coconut oil melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4th cup grade B maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1- Preheat oven to 350

2- Combine almond flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and flax seed in a bowl

3- In a separate bowl beat egg with vanilla, and add coconut oil and maple syrup

4- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients combining 

5- Add chocolate chips

6- Using a tablespoon place cookie dough on greased baking sheet

7- Bake for 12 minutes.

8 - Remove from oven and let cool. 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of our readers. Enjoy all the good food and time spent with family and friends. We will be back in the New Year with a ton of new projects for our readers so stay tuned to the 2 health nuts in 2015! 

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Mixed Nut Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

The holidays are full of over indulgences and unhealthy food. However, there are ways to make our favorite holiday treats healthier to allow you to still indulge without the guilt. This recipe is a grain free, refined sugar free take on thin mint cookies.  

Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Paleo 

Photo credit: Michael & Megan Theriault 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of homemade ground nut butter ( We used raw mixed nuts and ground in the Vitamix but you can use any pre made nut butter)
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 5 drops Young Living peppermint essential oil found here

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

Grind enough nuts to make one cup of nut butter

Combine cocoa  and baking soda in separate bowl

Beat egg in bowl

Add vanilla and coconut sugar

Add in nut butter and stir to combine

Add the cocoa and baking soda mix to wet ingredients half at a time

Once dough is formed roll into 1 in balls

Place dough on greased cookie sheet and press down with fork 

Bake for ten minutes

Enjoy!

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Blood Pressure Lowering Tea

Hibiscus tea is a traditional remedy for lowering blood pressure. In one study, drinking hibiscus tea for just 12 days reduced systolic pressure by an average 11.7 percent and diastolic pressure by 10.7 percent.  Lavender essential oil is an adaptogen which means it can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. Lavender can be used for a variety of different things but it is great for calming down the body and nervous system which will help lower blood pressure. This is a great relaxing combination to enjoy any time of day.

*(This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.) 

Photo credit Michael and Megan Theriault 

Ingredients:

1 hibiscus tea bag

3 drops of lavender essential oil (only Young Living essential oil can be safely ingested we do not recommend making this with any other brand essential oil) 

1 cup boiling water

1 tbs raw honey

Directions:

1- Boil tea water

2- Steep the tea bag and add additional ingredients 

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Pear Arugula Salad

The ingredients of this salad work perfectly in combination with each other. This is a great fall or winter salad as a healthy side salad. Arugula is one of our favorite salad greens and is full of Vitamin A, C, & K as well as copper and iron. 

Photo Credit Michael Theriault & Megan Theriault 

Ingredients:

2 cups arugula 

2 tbs pecans (or any nut you have on hand)

3 tbs gorgonzola cheese

1/2 pear 

1 tbs balsamic vinegar 

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1- Place arugula in bowl 

2- Toast nuts in a dry skillet until they start to turn brown

3- Add nuts and cheese to arugula

4- Slice 1/2 pear in thin slices and put on arugula

5- In separate bowl combine vinegar and olive oil, stir to combine

6- Pour over salad mix until all salad is covered 

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Thirsty Thursday: Golden Milk

This new drink on our menu is a fun healthy way to enjoy a glass of milk. We are always trying to think of ways to sneak in more super foods, herbs and spices into our diets and this drink does the trick. 

The rockstar in this drink is the turmeric. Turmeric is full of amazing health benefits and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Health Benefits include the reduction of joint pain, digestive aid, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, cancer killing, anti-depressent, liver detox, wound healing, and blood sugar balance.

The next health boosting herb in this milk is ginger.  Ginger is great for stomach discomfort, reduces inflammation, improves asthma, increases blood circulation, and boosts the immune system. It also relieves stress, helps prevent and reduce cough and cold, and helps aid in weight loss. 

Cinnamon is a great spice to add in to your daily diet. Cinnamon can lower cholesterol, help balance blood sugar levels, protect against heart disease, help reduce pain and inflammation, and increase immunity.

Who new drinking a nice cup of warm milk could have so many health benefits... Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs grade B maple syrup

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a pot and heat to desired temperature stirring constantly.

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole